Pingtan is a typical traditional performing art form prevailing in Suzhou. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Suju Opera, Kunqu Opera and pingtan, the most representative traditional performing art forms originating in Suzhou, wowed audiences of the Suzhou Culture and Art Exhibition Week in Beijing from Jan 6-20.

Suzhou Opera Troupe's opera Guo Ding Hun, or Soul of National Tripods, staged on the nights of Jan 13 and 14 at Beijing's Tianqiao Theater, is based on the true story of the Pan family in Suzhou.

Pan Zuyin was a famous collector in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). He discovered Da Ke Ding and Da Yu Ding, two priceless ancient vessels used for cooking and storing meat, and promised to protect them from falling into the wrong hands.

Through social upheavals and wars in the next few decades, his descendants remained true to Pan's promise and managed to keep the two vessels intact and finally donated them to the government.

According to the troupe, the opera not only emphasizes the national character of selflessness and rectitude in crucial moments, but also eulogizes traditions respecting propriety.

Since the opera was first staged in September 2017, 125 performances have followed. The opera has been well received by audiences, including experts and people from all walks of life, according to the troupe.

In 2021, it was selected as one of the key supported works in a plan launched by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. A film of the same name was even commissioned, making it the first Suju Opera-related movie in history.

Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theater's Peony Pavilion also proved popular among audiences in Beijing. The play was Chinese-American writer Pai Hsien-yung's re-adaptation of the Kunqu Opera classic, catering to more modern viewers' taste.

The opera is a romantic tragicomedy created by famous playwright Tang Xianzu in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It tells the story of a young couple in love－a young scholar Liu Mengmei and an official's daughter Du Liniang－who transcend barriers of life and death and end up together.

On Jan 17-18, Suzhou Pingtan Troupe performed at Tianqiao Performing Arts Center in Beijing and won great acclaim from audiences.

The performances featured diverse themes－traditional masterpieces such as Pearl Tower, The Romance of West Chamber, Emperor Kangxi; classics that decipher the genetic code of revolution like My Name is the People's Liberation Army; and new original works that keep pace with the times such as Hero Captain and Gu Yanwu.

Regarded by the troupe as the most beautiful voice in China, pingtan originated in Suzhou 400 years ago. It is comprised of ballads sung in the Suzhou dialect and enjoys a fan base in Shanghai, and neighboring Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.

Pingtan incorporates two folk art forms－pinghua and tanci. Pinghua is a storytelling art form that is performed by a narrator without background music and tanci is songs accompanied by the pipa, a Chinese lute with four strings. In 2006, pingtan was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage.